Stories are written to inspire, to reveal and to build dynasties of meaning. Stories are a place of universal truths which can be beautiful, but sometimes equally painful, problematic, and disorderly.

Much like setting up a football club.

This is the story of Rara Avis F.C.

It’s a Latin phrase for ‘rare bird.’ Other synonyms include: a phenomenon, a prodigy, a rarity.

These are all qualities I wanted the club to embody when Aisha (Co- Founder, Rara Avis F.C.) and I made the decision to turn the dream into a reality. Why Latin? Because it’s memorable: just like our badge. Some of the most renowned clubs in English football have long standing mottos in Latin ingrained within their heritage. Take Arsenal Football Club for example: Victoria Concordia Crescit

It translates to: Victory through Harmony.

Your club’s crest is your identity. You are associated with its meaning, bound to it forever. And the meaning of ours had to resonate with the group of girls we were looking for. They had to believe in our vision too.

A year on since our humble unveiling, and we can truly say our special group of girls play for the badge on the front of their shirt. We ironically say, ‘sacrifice my life for Rara’, but what we do is nothing short of it. We have sacrificed a tremendous amount of time, effort, and resources to make this vision a reality. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Because we’re living our dream and revelling in it. 

High flying, limitless and exceptional.

These are the traits we inspire and instil within our girls. Football isn’t just about what one can produce on the pitch, but off it too. When we first began, we had girls of all ages, background, and motivations. Some wanted to work on their fitness, and some wanted to develop their skills. Others simply missed playing football.

All of them became a family, a group of girls who couldn’t be more different; a bunch of misfits united by the shared love of football. Unlikely friendships which translate onto chemistry on the pitch. And each other’s support network outside of it.

The first and most important change we noticed was the growth in many of our younger girls’ confidence. When Aisha and I noticed the shy characters evolve into confident leaders, directing forms of play and positions, we looked at each other and knew this was much bigger than football, much bigger than us. This was about inspiring individuals to become the best versions of themselves and encouraging them to find their true potential. This was about producing the next generation of leaders.

I had my proud parent moment that day (despite having no children of my own). That was the day I truly realised the significance of our role.

Our journey with RARA AVIS F.C. has been nothing short of a whirlwind romance. In between kit sponsorships, making newspaper headlines, and several features on BBC Radio Leicester, there were numerous moments where we had to pause, reflect, and pinch ourselves. It was surreal. If you had asked us in 2020, or even 2022, the classic interview question: ‘where do you see yourselves in 5 years’ time?’ Half of those things would not have made the list.